Ben Stokes returns to England after a short stint in New Zealand

Ben Stokes is barred from international cricket by ECB.

Canterbury cricket officials have confirmed that Ben Stokes’ cricket sojourn with his province of birth has come to an end and the England all-rounder will return to England for family reasons.

In a brief statement, Canterbury Cricket chief executive Jez Curwin said Stokes was leaving for “family reasons”, with his wife and young family back in England.

“Ben has been great around the club, the team and the staff. We can’t fault his attitude or his all-round contribution in his time with us and we are sorry that he couldn’t stay with us for longer,” Curwin said.

Ben Stokes has been banned by the ECB from international cricket, as the Bristol police investigate his involvement in the brawl that happened outside a night club three months ago.

“Christmas time, he’s a long way from home and he’s been through a lot. And the reality is he wants to spend Christmas with his wife and two kids, who miss him a huge amount,” Curwin said.

Stokes has been named in the ODI squad provisionally, to take on Australia post the Ashes series, but he didn’t mention anything in his statement for the Canterbury cricket.

Stokes said, “I have thoroughly enjoyed training and playing with Canterbury. Everyone here has gone out of their way to make me feel at home. It’s a wonderful club and I couldn’t have asked for any more from my time here.”